What are reins used for on a horse?

Answer 1

The reins are long straps of leather or soft rope that are connected to the bit (which rests in the horses mouth) at one end and are held by the rider at the other end. The reins are used to guide the horse's direction of travel - straight, left, or right.

In English style riding, the reins are attached directly to the bit at the level of the horse's mouth and are gently tugged to turn the horse's head one way or the other. In Western style riding, the reins are generally attached to downward extensions of the bit called the shanks, and the reins are laid against the sides of the neck to turn the horse one way or the other - the reins are only pulled on when correcting the horse or getting its attention.

Answer 2

Reins can be attached to either side of a bit or head collar. Head collars are mainly used on Camels & Oxen.

Whether the reins are attached to a bit or straight onto a head collar they achieve the same or similar result they are an extension of you arms and are able to pass signals to the animal, these can be, go to the Left, Right or stop.

A bit is generally mettle in olden days it could be wood, modern bits can be Vulcanite, I see no reason why they might not be made from other hard wearing materiel such as any of the hard plastics.

The Bit goes into the mouth of some animals, mostly equine, but have been used in camels, and possibly Oxen.

To Sum up reins are used to steer an animal.

Answer 3

The bit on the bridle, and you hold the other end. This is so you can control the horse.